Another vacant creche in Wexford estate as questions are asked of council – ‘What are the legalities of this?'
'Those homes have never been lived in and the creche has never been used,' she said. 'It's my understanding that it's a requirement for the developers to provide this essential service for the community. But the creche wasn't utilised, instead it's left there while we have serious childcare issues across the district.
"What are the legalities of this? What can we do as a local authority?'
Accepting that there are 'a number' of creches in estates across the county which haven't been developed, housing officer Sharon Ryan said there were 'conditions attached' to planning applications but that she would have to return at the next meeting with further details.
Separately, Cllr O'Brien returned to an assertion recently made by chief executive of Wexford County Council (WCC) Eddie Taaffe that the council is currently exceeding its housing targets.
'There's only 12 houses listed in our monthly report in this district, and there's only been six properties advertised on choice-based letting (CBL) in the RMD this year, how can we be exceeding our housing targets?' she asked. 'That's nowhere near ambitious enough to meet the demand that's out there. Could we propose a motion from the RMD that we get our fair share of housing delivery here because we're not exceeding our targets in this district anyway.'
After Ms Ryan stated that a further 55 properties in the RMD were due to be made available via approved housing bodies (AHB), Angela Finn of housing capital said that, despite appearances, the Rosslare district would meet its targets under the Housing For All scheme.
'We've already delivered 35 in Rosetown, but because it's a five-year plan and the targets were set a long time ago they are coming in slowly – a lot of them were before your time,' she said to Cllr O'Brien, who was elected last year. 'The numbers allocated to RMD haven't quite been met yet but there's two years to go and we will get there.'
Ms Finn also provided Cllr Frank Staples with an update regarding houses in Tagoat which she said will be available for CBL this month.
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Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Another vacant creche in Wexford estate as questions are asked of council – ‘What are the legalities of this?'
'Those homes have never been lived in and the creche has never been used,' she said. 'It's my understanding that it's a requirement for the developers to provide this essential service for the community. But the creche wasn't utilised, instead it's left there while we have serious childcare issues across the district. "What are the legalities of this? What can we do as a local authority?' Accepting that there are 'a number' of creches in estates across the county which haven't been developed, housing officer Sharon Ryan said there were 'conditions attached' to planning applications but that she would have to return at the next meeting with further details. Separately, Cllr O'Brien returned to an assertion recently made by chief executive of Wexford County Council (WCC) Eddie Taaffe that the council is currently exceeding its housing targets. 'There's only 12 houses listed in our monthly report in this district, and there's only been six properties advertised on choice-based letting (CBL) in the RMD this year, how can we be exceeding our housing targets?' she asked. 'That's nowhere near ambitious enough to meet the demand that's out there. Could we propose a motion from the RMD that we get our fair share of housing delivery here because we're not exceeding our targets in this district anyway.' After Ms Ryan stated that a further 55 properties in the RMD were due to be made available via approved housing bodies (AHB), Angela Finn of housing capital said that, despite appearances, the Rosslare district would meet its targets under the Housing For All scheme. 'We've already delivered 35 in Rosetown, but because it's a five-year plan and the targets were set a long time ago they are coming in slowly – a lot of them were before your time,' she said to Cllr O'Brien, who was elected last year. 'The numbers allocated to RMD haven't quite been met yet but there's two years to go and we will get there.' Ms Finn also provided Cllr Frank Staples with an update regarding houses in Tagoat which she said will be available for CBL this month.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- RTÉ News
LDA to purchase private land for private housing projects
The Land Development Agency is on course to purchase more private land and build more private housing projects, following a Cabinet committee on housing in Dublin. The planned change to the LDA's remit flows from ministerial concern at the slow rate of housing output, with completion targets for this year likely to be missed. Among those attending the meeting today, were Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Housing Minister James Browne and Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers. The LDA's existing focus is on social and affordable homes on large sites, but that's now due to be broadened to allow more private homes to be built as well. In addition, the Agency has said it has lined up 32 State owned sites for development, but now it's going to be able to purchase more land from the private sector. In previous meetings of the Cabinet committee on housing, there were discussions on how to speed up the transfer of lands to the LDA from State agencies. During today's meeting, there were also talks on the reform of the government's Housing For All plan, which is due to be published next month. While changes to the Rent Pressure Zones were not on the agenda, a decision on the question could be taken by the Cabinet as early as next Tuesday. Sources close to Tánaiste Simon Harris suggested that a balance had to be struck between protecting renters but also removing roadblocks which limit housing supply. However, Opposition parties are likely to vigorously oppose any changes to either the Rent Pressure Zones or changing the remit of the LDA. The government target for housing completions in 2025 is 41,000. However, only 30,300 were finished last year, and the Housing Minister James Browne told RTE's Prime Time it would be "extremely challenging" to hit the 2025 housing targets. An ESRI prediction for 2025 suggested only in the region of 34,000 homes would be completed, and 37,000 in 2026. The institute warned that "most of the risks weigh on the downside", suggesting those lower targets also might not be met. Homelessness figures hit a record last month with 15,580 living in emergency accommodation, including 4,775 children. That was an 11% increase on April last year, and does not include people sleeping rough, sofa surfing, living in domestic violence refuges or International Protection centres. The cost of renting increased by 3.4% in the first 3 months of 2025, according to The survey suggested that the average open-market rent is now above €2,000 - another first.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Minister dampens optimism over Wexford SETU campus – ‘I'm not aware that there's money ready to go for this'
A legal challenge taken by the principal landowner against Wexford County Council's compulsory purchase of lands at Ballynagee – stretching from Whiterock to Killeens – was rejected at the High Court, clearing the way for the local authority to move forward with the purchase and plans for the establishment of a new South East Technological University (SETU) campus. However, in a questionable performance on South East Radio's Morning Mix with Alan Corcoran on Thursday morning, Minister Lawless rowed back on previous assurances given by predecessor, Tánaiste Simon Harris, regarding funding for the campus and stated that it was still a long way off becoming a reality. Initially the Minister seemed poorly briefed on the cause of the latest delay and the outcome of the latest court proceedings. 'It's good news that it was refused in court,' he said. ' A judicial review was taken. It's one challenge with building infrastructure like this, there's always someone can object. That is there right, but it's not their right to hold up society for a number of years. The process is too slow. We're trying to address that with the Planning Act. I'm not making a comment on this particular case in saying that, however.' In this instance, of course, it was not an objection but a challenge to a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) taken by landowner Mr Scott Mernagh. Additionally, the purchase had not been subject to a full judicial review. Mr Mernagh's application to take this action was refused by the High Court. The Minister then stated that 'the ball is back with Wexford County Council' who he imagines will move 'full steam ahead' with the CPO. He also spoke of a need for 're-engagement' between SETU and the Higher Education Authority (HEA). However, the most worrying aspect of Minister Lawless' interview came when the subject of funding was broached. On several occasions, Tánaiste Simon Harris gave assurances that money would be in place for the construction of a 'state-of-the-art college campus' as soon as the acquisition of the site was completed. 'The state is not in the habit of purchasing assets to leave them lying idle,' he said at the time. However, having taken over the role of Minister for Higher and Further Education from Patrick O'Donovan in January, Minister Lawless was not quite so definite. 'I don't promise money,' he said. 'My own approach has always been 'steady as she goes' . ADVERTISEMENT 'If the right proposal comes in, I'd be hopeful that the funding will be there, but I think we're putting the cart before the horse to talk about money before we even have a proposal on the table. Let's see what's proposed first and then we'll look at the money.' When host Alan Corcoran pointed to the numerous assurances given by the Tánaiste, Minister Lawless was non-committal. 'I'd have to go back and look at it,' he said. 'I'm not aware of what promises were made. I don't know if any money was ring-fenced or not. I'm not aware that there's money ready to go. That would be premature. The CPO process held things up, but the council is in a position to progress that at this stage.' When asked if this is still some way off from becoming a reality, Minister Lawless responded: 'I'll tell you straight. I've come into this department and this is a project on the list, but there's no site, no plan and no planning permission. It is probably a bit off still at this stage, being honest. SETU need to come into the HEA with a full spec plan. 'I will make this a priority and I will work with the players involved, but colleges are autonomous. The college is welcome to come to the HEA with plans and we will engage and discuss them. There'll be parts we'll agree on and parts we won't agree on. 'Let's see where this goes,' he concluded. 'I think, though, it would be premature to make promises regarding funding on a site that is not even owned yet.'
